LEAD miner Magellan Metals Pty Ltd has responded to criticism of its role in cleaning up lead contamination in Esperance by asserting that the Esperance Port Authority should take the lead role. Magellan has also pushed for the remaining lead stockpile in Esperance to be removed and sold, which it said “will improve the company’s ability to assist in addressing remaining lead issues in Esperance”. In a statement, Magellan said it was willing to make an “appropriate contribution” to a government-administered fund to help resolve lead related issues in Esperance. Magellan noted that it has a detailed handling agreement with the Esperance Port Authority that covered the safe bulk loading of its product at the port. “Testing by the Department of Environment and Conservation has shown that there are no elevated lead levels along the rail transport route used by Magellan, and this has been reconfirmed by the company’s independent testing,” it said. “The lead issues raised in the past year relate to the bulk loading operations at the port. “ Magellan said it was urging the port authority to prioritise the removal of the remaining lead stockpile at the port.